The Understatement of the Year

4 1/2 stars

This book is about two hockey players, who were best friends and lovers in high school but were separated due to a hate crime. That incident changed their lives forever and has so much impact on their thought process than they realize. When the openly gay Rikker transfers to Harkness, Graham gets the shock of his life. The story follows them on their journey to find themselves, their friendship and love again.

Rikker is such an amazing character. He is honest and caring and so full of love, it was a joy reading about him. He doesn't choose to be the only openly out player in Division One hockey but when circumstances force him to, he doesn't let it change his love or focus for the game. He is also totally comfortable in his sexuality, but can't escape the homophobic comments of his teammate or rival teams. But his biggest weakness is his first love, Graham.

Graham is a self loathing, paranoid guy who is dead set on trying to prove that he is not gay but he cannot keep away from Rik. But he is also such a douche. He treats Rik so badly for most of the book, first by being so uncomfortable even being in the same room as him and not even acknowledging their past and then being secretive about their relationship. It was good to see him finally accept the truth about himself but I wish he had treated Rik better.

I also loved the characters of Graham's mom and Rik's grandma. They are so sweet and supportive and love their children no matter what, and irrespective of their religious beliefs, it was just so endearing. Bella is also a great friend and I was so sad for her, but she is so understanding and caring, it made me tear up. Rik's ex Skippy is an absolute live wire and brings some amazing humor and laughs whenever he appears.

If I ignore the stupidity of Graham for a bit, I really loved his relationship with Rik. They share an old and beautiful friendship, understand each other deeply and it felt so good to see them get together. It broke my heart to see Rik love Graham so much but still have to hide it from the world. The ending definitely warmed my heart but it was also so abrupt and I was disappointed to not get to read more about them being together and happy.

This is an amazing book about friendship, first love, second chances and trying to find happiness by being and accepting yourself for who you are and not what the world wants you to be.

I don't know if I'll be able to write a coherent review without gushing or spilling the proverbial beans so I'll just say right off that I freakin' loved this book. Hard. My read included the audio done by [a:Teddy Hamilton 15007880 Teddy Hamilton https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Chris Fox 477457 Chris Fox https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. Those two are artists in their own right. Genius. I'm not a huge YA/NA reader but I started this series by [a:Sarina Bowen 7737308 Sarina Bowen https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1402702789p2/7737308.jpg] and I haven't been disappointed but rather more than pleasantly surprised. The first two installments and the novella that sits between these two and [b:The Understatement of the Year 22701480 The Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years, #3) Sarina Bowen https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408448387s/22701480.jpg 42221194] are MFs and though you don't need to read them before this book I would still highly recommend them and they'd probably give you some depth and background to some of the characters and events in this book. This book!!! The story was told in just the right tone. Some awful things have happened and both Rikker and Graham go through their respective hard roads but there isn't one note of stridency or PSA about the whole thing much less mushy sweetness. These young men wouldn't stand for that. I loved these two guys. I loved how Rikker really just wants to play hockey and though that meant wadding through the ugliness the game against Saint B's, Big-D etc. he walks proud every day, lacing up and dealing with being ignored or getting attention for the wrong reason i.e. being gay.Poor Graham. I just wanted to hug him so tight. This kid had made a prison for himself, afraid of just existing for fear of being different, rejected or unloved and that is the true tragedy, horror and injustice of people being assessed or judged because of who they love. So sad.This is really Graham's story of self acceptance and what a lucky guy he is to have the parents he does, the friends he has (even if he doesn't know it at first) and to be so well and unconditionally loved by Rikker. When these two finally come together you'll swoon with joy for two fictional characters who have come alive on the pages of Sarina Bowen's novel.This book was note perfect. There are moments that will make you rage and others that made me tear up in joy the game against Vermont and characters you'll fall in love with i.e. Bella, Grandma Rikker, Mrs. G. But what really shines through loud and clear like a palpable sun is the love and rightness of that love between Rikker & Graham. On a side note a nice surprise was unlike what you'd have thought Rikker is the predominant top, in the bedroom at least, not shy about being bossy and Graham loves it.My only two ‘complaints' are I want more about these two and it seems to be a thing in sports books and perhaps it's true in real life that guys refer to each other by their surnames. Odd. The guys are Johnny and Mike to their families.